10-DAY CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM TOUR WITH BEACH STAY IN VUNG TAU

Welcome to Siem Reap! Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in. Situated in the northwest of Cambodia, Siem Reap was once the heart of the mighty Khmer Empire and is renowned for its exquisite temples, making it a top destination for tourists exploring Cambodia. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Meals are not included. Overnight stay at the hotel.

08:00 AM: After meeting our tour guide, we will drive to Angkor Thom, a masterpiece created by King Jayavarman VII. Following the Chams’ occupation of Angkor from 1177 to 1181, the new king built an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.

Our first stop is Bayon Temple, located at the center of Angkor Thom. This temple is a unique expression of the creative genius and grand ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each adorned with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear a striking resemblance to the king himself.

Next, we visit the Terrace of the Leper King, an intricately carved platform that served as the royal crematorium. The statue originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We then proceed to the Terrace of Elephants, used as a viewing gallery for the king to oversee parades, performances, and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating back to the reign of Uditayavarman I in the 11th century.

We will also visit Ta Prohm, famous for its appearance in “Tomb Raider.” Ta Prohm has been left to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, nature’s power continues unabated. The tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly enveloping the surviving stones, symbolizing nature’s reclaiming of human creations.

Our journey continues to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, and a source of pride and strength for all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, it is the most famous temple at Angkor.

We will return to your hotel afterward. Dinner will be on your own. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

At 7:45 AM, our car will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station for your 6-hour journey to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in, with your room available from 2:00 PM. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Meals are not included. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel to the meeting point with your group tour. After introductions, our tour guide will brief you on the day’s schedule before starting a full-day tour to Phnom Penh’s key attractions.

We’ll begin at Wat Ounalom Monastery, the oldest Buddhist pagoda established in 1443, featuring 44 structures. It’s located along Sisowat Quay near the Royal Palace and faces the Tonle Charktomuk “4 Face River.”

Next, we’ll visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda within its grounds. The Royal Palace is a complex of buildings and serves as the royal residence of the King of Cambodia. We’ll also see Wat Phnom, the central and most significant temple in Phnom Penh.

Spend your morning exploring the Central Market (Psar Thmei), a large market built in 1937 with a dome and four arms extending into vast hallways filled with countless stalls. Here, you can find goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and more.

12:00 – 01:20 PM: Lunch time

After lunch, we’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison), a former high school turned prison by Pol Pot’s security forces, which became the largest center for detention and torture during the Khmer Rouge regime.

If time permits, we’ll take a quick look at Phsar Toul Tom Phuong “Russian Market” before heading about 15 km south to visit the notorious Killing Fields “Choeung Ek,” where over 17,000 individuals were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime.

We’ll drop you off at your hotel around 05:00 – 05:30 PM. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Upon arrival, our driver will greet you and take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Meals are not included. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.

Between 08:00 and 08:30 AM, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to commence the city tour, which includes:

Independence Palace (formerly the Norodom Palace), an important historical site of Vietnam.

War Remnants Museum, showcasing artifacts from the Indochina wars.

Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office, iconic French colonial structures.

Jade Emperor Pagoda, renowned for its tranquil ambiance and intricate details.

Return to your hotel at 12h30. The rest of the day is free on your own.

Between 08:30 and 09:00 AM, you’ll set out from your hotel to My Tho, a charming town situated on the Mekong River’s left bank.

Embark on a sampan to meander along the river, encircling the enchanting islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.

Pause at Unicorn Island to stroll through rustic lanes, view orchards, savor exotic fruits, and listen to traditional folk music.

Explore the fruit plantation.

Glide on a manually-operated sampan through the Thoi Son canal.

Engage with a local family business, explore a honey-bee farm, delight in honey tea, and observe a coconut candy workshop. Relish lunch at a nearby eatery.

Bike through Tan Thach village, interact with the villagers, and immerse yourself in the everyday life of the Mekong Delta.

At 05:00 – 05:30 PM, you’ll be returned to your hotel. You’ll arrange your own dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll depart from Ho Chi Minh City for Vung Tau, a 2-hour drive without a tour guide. Upon arrival, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel for check-in, with your room available from 2:00 PM. Meals are not included. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.

Today, you have the freedom to explore the town or unwind on the beach at your own pace. Meals are not included. You’ll spend the night at the hotel in Vung Tau.

Enjoy your free time until being transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City for a flight. End of service.